[A little competition for forum users]

Oh go on then, i'll take off your hands 

[Whats this little extra bit?]

Cheers Simon, but, it was attached to the cell that was faulty and had leaked.  I've opened up other packs before, never come across extra ballast though, and 10 gramms seems a bit too 'fine' a measurement even for CofG config.  Ta for input

[35 Mhz vs 2.4 Ghz]

Well if anyone has a glich 'n crunch whilst using a Pootaba Tx.  They will be able to blame it on a wrong coded set .  Problem there being you then have to spend an hour at home in the shed with the missus French polish and a tea-towel cleaning the thing.  So when you next over the patch you can show everyone your newly exchanged Tx. 

[Whats this little extra bit?]

Sorry 'bout pic quality, All I could muster at the moment Timbo. 

[Flycam on the cheap]

Flycam 1 Carl

http://youtube.com/watch?v=oCmHG8HjlNQ

[Whats this little extra bit?]

Can anyone explain this;

I had a low powered battery pack. Wouldn't give more than 4/5 minutes of power,you can normally expect between 10 - 15 minutes on these packs.

Any how I decided to investigate, thinking if its a damaged cell I can make up another pack from the remaining cells. So I opened the pack and ,(A) found a damaged cell, (B) found a little extra. (B) was a piece of cut steel 15 x 4 ml weighing aprx 10 gramms.

Im thinking it's got something to do with quality control, perhaps packs of a certain cell count weigh in at such 'n such. So, if they come in under-weight it will mean a cell or more are inferior (light). But instead of rejecting the pack add a little weight before the heat shrink wrapping is applied. Pictures enclosed;

Bas'

[The new Nijhuis Hawker Hurricane]

Nice !  

[35 Mhz vs 2.4 Ghz]

One difference I think is that you can't so easily poke around inside a Tx with  a soldering iron if your an electronic buff.

[Learning to fly alone]

I am a lone flyer. Started last year with an 'all in one' foamie.  To anyone starting out, BMFA insurance is a must.  I got permission to fly on Council property between 0500 - 0800 hrs, which suits me as Im a night worker.  I load up and charge up during the night and fly before I get home.  This morning I flew at 0530 - 0630, uninterupted; And thoroughly enjoyable.

At home now and after posting this little ditty I will switch on my G4 flight sim and practice somemore.  I got this piece of kit just after it came out, and as a new flyer I can recommend sims as 'a' way forward. They are a good aid especially to a newbie like me. 

The newbie lone flyers biggest mistake will always be in the application, or lack of, applied discipline coupled with overconfidence at the most inappropriate time, ( inverted too close to terrafirma).  I've bounced a couple of planes,broke one because I was too impatient to fly after a prang and repair.

This morning I cartwheeled my Typhoon 3D, (foamie), and contray to some comments I have read.  It didn't turn into packaging foam.  A quick check of control surfaces and another 15 mins of flight time achieved.

Learning to fly on ones own isn't for everyone, and it can be exspensive, moreso than learning under the guidance of a tutor, who can generally save a mistake from turning into pile of wood or packaging foam.

Perhaps I have been lucky.  I can stick to flying circuts or go nuts with 3D'ing. When circumstance allows I will join a club, fly 'proper' planes after getting the 'A' cert and hopefully go on to get the 'B'. Till then Im a happy lone flyer.

[You guys aren't going to believe this!]

Excellent Peevie. 

[35 Mhz vs 2.4 Ghz]

459 ? Was this back in the 18th or 19th centuary Eric ?

Anyone got any history on 459 ?

[35 Mhz vs 2.4 Ghz]

Thanks for the indepth responses.  Much appreciated.  I guess at this moment in time I won't worry too much or rush to purchse just yet.

Im also aware that the BMFA recently sent a delegation to the European Parliment as a communication company has submitted an appeal to have 2.4Ghz for sole use of the communications networks.  Though the likely hood of the appeal being successful is in reality very small.  It does beg the question;  How secure is 2.4Ghz for the model flyer in the future ?

[35 Mhz vs 2.4 Ghz]

David, this sport/hobby is fatal to the gadget man within !

[35 Mhz vs 2.4 Ghz]

With the growing popularity of 2.4Ghz radio.  Do you think we wll see the demise of 35Mhz in the near future ?

[Brilliant story!]

Ouch !!    Im still wiping the tears from my eyes

[A question for beginners]

I grew up round models and flying my Dad being of the rubberband chuckem and see fraternity, way,way back in the fifties. I can remember him using a large grey box with a switch and button on the front with an ariel you could catch Carp with !  Then it was over to the club field on Sunday mornings, though I went, I never caught the 'bug'.

Years later, Im in my 40's. Last year I started flying those little foamies when I saw one on a shelf in a well known supermarket .  Not long after that I bought a Hobbyzone Supercub, taught myself the easy stuff, take off and turning,as only a 3 channel affair can do.  The hard stuff, approach and landing was hit and hope, most common mistake was to forget to reduce power just before the final approach turn and line up.

This week I've started flying a Parkzone Typhoon 3D.  I love it.  Pure freedom !  Scary too.  But so much fun.  I had 3 flights this morning on my way home from my night work.  For me throwing myself into the situation of 'flying' worked.  I applied some basic safe principles and stuck to them.

I taught myself flying the same way I learned to drive.  By looking over my Dads shoulder.  I wouldn't advise it too everyone.  But for me, that little bit of knowhow learn't years ago watching my Dad, stuck in the grey stuff of me ed !  I wasn't caught by the bug then, but, I certainly am now, and enjoying it too.  I'm hoping to join a club soon and get into IC.

Till then and as long as the 'summer' lasts I will be packing my P51,Supercub and Typhoon into the car and flying quietly in the mornings, with my 'boys toys', till the batteries run out.

I have downloaded  'Up and Away' from the BMFA, I find it and sites like this very useful.

Biggles

[Newbie designs lightweight cowl]

Hello one & all

I started flying last year with a Hobbyzone Supercub (elec), taught myself the basics with some hillariity. I fly most mornings this time of year on my way home from work,at a large park.

Last week I got this Parkzone Typhoon (pic). Am now learning some 3D. Notice the 'very' lightweight cowl ! This got damaged when I attempted an 'inverted' hanging prop, 2 foot off the ground. Yep...tongue is firmly in cheek.

The Tx is a Futaba Challenger 5. Bought as a present for me when I was 15 - 17 yrs, now erm...42. It had never been out of the box.

Would hope to go IC soon at a club. So advice etc more than welcome

[The July Grand Prize Draw]

Park Flyer new to the sport and greedy...........